Monica Knits

SSP: The SSP (slip, slip, purl) is a rightward slanting decrease on the purl side and a leftward slanting decrease on the knit side of the work. Two (2) sts are slipped knitwise from the left to right hand needle (twisting the stitches), transferred back to the left hand needle (no twisting), then purled together through their backs. This decrease is used for the short rows toe and is worked on the purl side (inside) of the toe up sock, creating a leftward slanting stitch on the good side of the sock. The following photos illustrate the formation of this stitch.

Click on any thumbnail to view a larger version.

The orientation of the needles in completing this stitch is similar to the P2tog tbl, so if you have trouble executing the last step of the SSP, look at the 4 photos in the P2tog tbl article.

Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 Step 5 Step 6

Steps

1. Slip the first stitch of the decrease knitwise from the left to the right needle. This is done by inserting the right needle through the stitch from front to back, as if to knit. The stitch is drawn off the left needle without yarning over.
2. Likewise, slip the second stitch knitwise from the left to the right needle.
3. The next photo shows both slipped stitches being returned to the left hand needle (without twisting).The left needle is passed through the 2 stitches on the right needle in the direction left to right, to return the stitches to the lefthand needle.
4. With the yarn held in front of the work (purlwise), insert the right needle through the backs both stitches. Yarn over.
5. Draw the yarn through both stitches to form the purl decrease.
6. The last photo shows the completed SSP.